Idol chatter: Minaj unplugged

FILE- In this Nov. 18, 2012 file photo, Nicki Minaj arrives at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards, in Los Angeles. Despite having a big year in music, Nicki Minaj didn't receive any Grammy nominations. The 30-year-old had one of last year's biggest hits with the multiplatinum dance-pop anthem “Starships.” Her sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” has reached gold status and launched other hits on the rap and R&B charts. But Minaj was shunned out when the Grammys announced this year's nominees, though the animated performer earned three nominations last year, including best new artist and best rap album for her platinum debut, “Pink Friday.” (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
— Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

FILE- In this Nov. 18, 2012 file photo, Nicki Minaj arrives at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards, in Los Angeles. Despite having a big year in music, Nicki Minaj didn't receive any Grammy nominations. The 30-year-old had one of last year's biggest hits with the multiplatinum dance-pop anthem “Starships.” Her sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” has reached gold status and launched other hits on the rap and R&B charts. But Minaj was shunned out when the Grammys announced this year's nominees, though the animated performer earned three nominations last year, including best new artist and best rap album for her platinum debut, “Pink Friday.” (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
/ Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

In a late-March conference call with reporters Nicki Minaj, was totally blunt when asked whether she believed any of the remaining guys had a chance to win. “No. Not a chance” she answered. Read on to find out which contestants Nicki thinks are the front-runners, which contestants she could possibly see herself collaborating with, and whether she’d consider returning to Idol next season.

Did she have a favorite gay contestant that auditioned?

“I definitely think Papa Peachez was probably the most dear to my heart, only because I felt that he was such a superstar. But I don’t think he really knew that yet. Whenever I meet someone where I feel like they don’t really know their own worth, it kinda bothers me. I thought he was so exciting. I wanted to see him perform his original music every week. Unfortunately, he got overshadowed by all the other big singers.”

What does she like about Amber Holcomb. What does she need to do to make it to the final.

“What I loved about her, was that she got hardly any airtime prior to Vegas. I feel like America didn’t even know she existed until Vegas shows. She already had something going against her. When she sang 'My Funny Valentine,' it’s like she became a young Whitney Houston. I think everyone was just blown away. I think that it’s really exciting that we got to see her become a superstar, as opposed to already figuring out that she was one of the contenders that was already on everyone’s minds. She needs to come on stage and treat it like she’s fighting for her life, every single night. Last week, for whatever reason–probably was resting on her laurels thinking ‘everybody loves me now, I don’t have to have such a dynamic performance.’ And then she was in the bottom 3. If she comes out there and keeps that sparkle in her eye every single week, and keeps on making it feel like it could be her possible last time on stage, I think that she’ll be fine. I think her voice is out of this world.”

What have been her best and worst moments on Idol?

“I don’t have a worst Idol moment. I’ve been spectacular. Yes, I’m going to toot my own horn. My best moment is every single moment. I’ll toot it again.”

A reporter from MTV asked, “You’ve made quite a splash on the show so far. You kind of showed up late a little bit last week, you’ve been kind of speaking your mind. Are you kind of surprised by how easy it’s been for you to kind of get out there and be yourself and share your criticisms and your compliments?

Nicki responded, “OK. The first part of your question had nothing to do with the question you ended up answering. I’m just going to pass on that question” Nicki was clearly irritated.